St. John

The St. John’s Boulder (Penedo de S. João) is a particular and unique site in the territory. The huge granite block, balanced on the top of the hill, monopolises the attention. Located in the parish of Freigil, on the top of a hill, where you almost loose sight of the horizon, you can there enjoy in the beautiful and extensive landscape the line of the river Douro and Aregos. It is not only a panoramic viewpoint, but also a place of ancient human presence evidence. The set of archaeological vestiges (walls and ceramic fragments) evidences the existence of a medieval castle.

Beautiful valleys, fresh air and breathtaking scenery invite to moments of relaxation in the picnic area on the site.

Associated with this boulder is the legend of an enchanted Moorish woman living on the site. In the neighbourhood lived a dark-skinned Moorish young woman that each day was waiting for her prince to come. One day the Moorish girl fell in love with a hunter and left away with him. The hunter, who was no prince at all, abandoned the helpless girl. Embarrassed, she returned to the boulder, without denouncing her misfortune. To her family she sent false news of her happy life with the hunter, while in fact she transformed into an enchanted Moorish woman, appearing everyday at the boulder to bewail her misfortune.

Address:Rua de S. João, 4660-092 Freigil